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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Transposition and Recombination02:13

Overview of Transposition and Recombination

Transposons make up a significant part of genomes of various organisms. Therefore, it is believed that transposition played a major evolutionary role in speciation by changing genome sizes and modifying gene expression patterns. For example, in bacteria, transposition can lead to conferring antibiotic resistance. Movement of transposable elements within the genetic pool of pathogenic bacteria can aid in transfer of antibiotic-resistant genetic elements. In eukaryotes, transposons can carry out...
DNA-only Transposons02:57

DNA-only Transposons

DNA-only transposons are called autonomous transposons since they code for the enzyme transposase that is required for the transposition mechanism. Insertion of transposons can alter gene functions in multiple ways. They can mutate the gene, alter gene expression by introducing a novel promoter or insulator sequence, introduce new splice sites, and change the mRNA transcripts produced, or remodel chromatin structure.
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
Transposons01:24

Transposons

Transposons, or "jumping genes," are small mobile genetic elements (MGEs) that range from 700 to 40,000 base pairs in length. They are found in all organisms and can move within the same chromosome or transfer to different chromosomes. In some cases, transposons can also jump between different host DNA molecules, such as plasmids or viruses, contributing to genetic variability.Barbara McClintock first discovered these mobile genetic elements in the 1940s while studying maize genetics, and she...
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
LTR Retrotransposons03:08

LTR Retrotransposons

LTR retrotransposons are class I transposable elements with long terminal repeats flanking an internal coding region. These elements are less abundant in mammals compared to other class I transposable elements. About 8 percent of human genomic DNA comprises LTR retrotransposons. Some of the common examples of LTR retrotransposons are Ty elements in yeast and Copia elements in Drosophila.
The internal coding region of LTR retrotransposons and their mechanism of transposition closely resembles a...

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Updated: May 30, 2026

Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity
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Real-Time Quantification of the Effects of IS200/IS605 Family-Associated TnpB on Transposon Activity

Published on: January 20, 2023

Co-evolution between transposable elements and their hosts: a major factor in genome size evolution?

J Arvid Ågren1, Stephen I Wright

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S3B2, Canada.

Chromosome Research : an International Journal on the Molecular, Supramolecular and Evolutionary Aspects of Chromosome Biology
|August 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Transposable elements (TEs) drive genome size evolution through co-evolution with hosts. Understanding TE silencing and evasion mechanisms is key to explaining genome expansion and contraction dynamics.

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Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
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Published on: September 23, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Traditional models of genome size evolution focus on insertions and deletions.
  • Transposable elements (TEs) significantly contribute to genome size changes.
  • TEs face selective pressures for expansion, influencing host genome evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence for TE-host co-evolution.
  • To discuss conditions altering TE-host dynamics.
  • To explore the role of TE-host co-evolution in genome size evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of TE-host co-evolution.
  • Analysis of TE silencing mechanisms (e.g., small RNAs).
  • Examination of genome size shifts linked to hybridization and mating systems.

Main Results:

  • Growing evidence supports the role of transposition rate evolution in genome expansion/contraction.
  • Shifts in TE abundance correlate with genome size changes in hybridizing species and altered mating systems.
  • TE-host co-evolution offers an alternative perspective on genome size evolution.

Conclusions:

  • TE-host co-evolution dynamics can alter predictions of genome expansion.
  • Understanding TE silencing breakdown and immune evasion is crucial for assessing TE impact on genome size.
  • The evolution of transposition rates is a significant factor in genome size evolution.